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In this exercise of imagination, there are many differences. The Germans still lost GWI, and the Beer Putsch Hall succeeded, bringing a more unstable Hitler into power. Instead of being embraced, he was seen as a madman, and after a frantic year in power, a coup installed Kaiser Wilhelm III, IRL's Crown Prince Wilhelm, into power in the role of a more constitutional monarchy (although not totally), and led to a federal state in German once more. Due to Hitler's brief time in power, the nation reacts badly to communist and fascist extremism, which it sees as just another path to devastation. The coup takes place after a two-and-a-half-year-long Civil War, exacerbated by the Crash of 1926, ending in 1927. Wilhelm III appoints a government bent on reform and moderation, hoping to advance Germany without causing another senseless war. He allies with the Brits, who hope to guide the young Kaiser away from the destructive ways of his father and shepherd him towards a more internationalist policy, which he quickly accepts. Albert Einstein flees to the United States during this time, called "The Awakening", and makes a home for himself in the country, defecting to the US and applying for tri-citizenship with the US, UK, and Germany.

The Brits, seeing that they could either create an Imperial Federation or risk fading into second-class nation status, federalized their Empire. This resulted in the "Commonwealth Parliament", centered in Westminster, with seats allocated around the Empire by population, although certain nations *cough*India*cough* were given less as to make sure no one dominated all others. The resulting structure allowed for each part of the Empire to govern semi-autonomously, while the CP created wide-reaching laws and reforms. The Prime Minister role is filled by the "Commonwealth Governor", with the most notable early Governor being Winston Churchill, elected in the early 30s by the "Unionist Coalition" of several center-right parties from the Imperial Nations.

The man IRL known as Joshua Abraham Norton has a son in 1879, whom he creates as the next "Emperor". This child, Jacob Joshua "Jay" Norton, is elected Governor of California in the 1920s as a progressive Republican after making a fortune in shipping and works to provide early reforms in the state including an early universal healthcare system, a massively successful literacy and education campaign, and the expansion of the California National Guard. He is later appointed the first "Secretary of Welfare" under Thomas Dewey in the 1940s and dies in office in 1947. The resulting "Norton Dynasty" sees J.A. Norton II elected to succeed Richard Nixon as Senator in the 50s, and his son, Abe Norton, is elected Governor of California in the 90s. The United States is a major superpower, one of the "Big Four", alongside Germany, the Imperial Federation, and France (we'll get to France). The United States is more progressive compared to OTL, with, by 2010, a universal healthcare system ("National Health Agency", called "Nortoncare", established by Jay Norton in his time as Secretary of Welfare), established gay marriage (legalized in the 1990s), and legalized pot (by the 1970s, although that's more because of "Big Pot", the weed industry lobbying). However, they still maintain hardcore gun rights and normalized military training.

The Second Great War is key to the development of this world. France, ITTL, sees the German Awakening as a threat to their sovereignty. Mussolini sends several agents to foment revolution in France after Britain announces a pact with Germany to help stabilize the nation. Philippe Petain is drafted as the leader of the "National Remembrance Movement", a fascist organization that forces elections and wins in a landslide in 1930. They quickly ally with Italy and break their alliance with the Imperial Federation. Winston Churchill, the Commonwealth Governor, formalizes the alliance with Germany and strengthens ties with the US, and President Herbert Hoover. The so-called "United Allies" challenged the "Paris-Rome Summit" on many fronts. This culminated in 1933 when French agents were found in London attempting to sabotage the automobiles of several MCPs (Members of the Commonwealth Parliament) during a CP session. Around the same time, a message on it's way to Russia was intercepted by a German officer. The letter was from Italian diplomats, offering the Soviets a deal, that a non-aggression pact be signed between the Paris-Rome Summit and Moscow. The deal went on to say that in the event of war if the Soviets could attack the Germans, they could keep Eastern Europe. These two events are used to justify war, and the Allies declare war on the Paris-Rome Summit, who reciprocate the action.
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